FARMINGTON — Franklin County commissioners voted 4-1 Tuesday to allow the chairman to testify at a public hearing Thursday on a legislative bill that would increase the number of members on Maine Land Use Commission.

LD 870 proposes to add four members appointed by the governor, bringing the total to 13.

The commission serves as the planning and zoning authority for unorganized territories, including townships and plantations.

The public hearing will be held by the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee at 1 p.m. in Room 214 at the Cross Building at 11 Sewall St. in Augusta.

Franklin County Commission Chairman Bob Carlton of Freeman Township expressed concerns that the additional members may not be from the unorganized territories or plantations.

“I don’t think it is good for Franklin County,” he said. “I don’t think it is good for the state of Maine. Land Use Planning Commission has worked very well” as is.

The bill states that the governor shall actively seek individuals from or near unorganized territories, as well as from unorganized coastal islands.

Half of the land in Franklin County is designated unorganized territory. Commissioners make decisions on bridges, road projects, tax abatement appeals and other matters in that area. They also review the annual budgets for the unorganized territory and hold public hearings before approving it, sending it to the state for review and then to the Legislature for approval.

Carlton also raised concerns about the bill’s proposed timeline for commissioners to appoint a member to the LURC, reducing the 90 working days to 30.

The county advertises for qualified residents and conducts interviews. The most recent appointment was Thomas DuBois of Salem Township, who was appointed in August 2023. His initial nomination was rejected, but after a resubmission, he was approved unanimously in February 2024.

Eight of the nine commission members are appointed by counties with the most acreage in the unorganized territories.

Commissioner Thomas Saviello of Wilton, a former legislator, will testify in favor of the bill as an individual because he wants to make an amendment to keep the 90 days in place for appointment, among other changes.

Saviello voted against having Carlton testify; Jeff Gilbert of Jay, Thomas Skolfield of Weld and Fenwick Fowler of Farmington voted in favor.

The bill was presented by Rep. William Bridgeo of Augusta and co-sponsored by Sen. Teresa Pierce, Reps. James Dill, Sharon Frost, Regina Helper, Adam Lee and William Pluecker, and Sens. Rick Bennett, Stacy Brenner and Henry Ingwersen.